Enûma Elis

Enûma Eliš is based off of the Akkadian text of the same name that describes the creation and makeup of the universe. The piece, while not programmatic, is dominated by one large gesture of expansion, yet at the same time truncation of a rhythmical idea presented in the first movement. The gradual changes done to the material shows how matter of different types in turn becomes more and more unalike in their physical and chemical properties. However, all of the matter is united by the rhythmic motive, as manipulated as it has become, in turn showing how all matter is based upon the same, small building block (the atom). The first five movements employ and play off this gesture, as they are each representative of a different element according to the Enûma Eliš. The first movement, 'Išātiš,' is fire. Next is 'Erṣetu,' or earth. Third comes Ayabba, meaning water. Then there is 'Šāru,' which is representative of wind. Lastly comes 'Burūmû,' or sky. The final movement, 'Lā Mimma,' which translates roughly to "nothingness," gives glimpses of what has come before, illuminating gestures from the previous movements.